Harrison HS Students Win At International Science & Engineering Fair

HARRISON, NY — A trio of young scientists from Harrison used their brilliance to shine an international spotlight on their school. Their research could help to protect potential victims of date rape drugs, help us better understand exactly who we are voting for and someday help humans to study Mars in person.

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world’s largest global high school competition was held in Atlanta from May 8-13. The competition featured 1,750 young scientists representing 49 states and 63 countries, regions and territories across the world. In total, awards valued at nearly $8 million were awarded to the finalists, who were evaluated based on their projects’ creativity, innovation and level of scientific inquiry.

Ariella Blackman won a Second Award of $2000 in the Plant Sciences category for her research titled, "Developing a Model in situ Resource Utilization System for Oxygen Sustaining Life Support and Launch Cost Reduction for Mars." Blackman also won an Air Force Research Laboratory on behalf of the U.S. Air Force First Award of $750 for her work.

Jack Kelly earned a Fourth Award of $500 in the Behavioral and Social Sciences category for his study, "Quantifying Linguistic Polarization for Congressional Representatives Facing Primary Challengers: A Random Effects Logit Regression Approach." Kelly will be attending Harvard this fall.

Mai Blaustein was awarded a Diploma of Recognition and a $100 gift card in the Chemistry category for her project, "Identification of Chemical Contaminants in Spiked Beverages With the Use of Infrared Spectroscopy Through Development of Inexpensive and Inconspicuous Device To Identify Date-Rape Drugs." Blaustein will be attending Yale in the fall.

SEE ALSO:

• Harrison High School Student Is New Owner Of A Gas Station
• Harrison High School Among 2022's Best: U.S. News
• Head Of The Class: 10 Harrison HS Students Earn 15 Awards At WESEF
• Harrison High School Senior Selected For US Senate Youth Program
• Three Harrison HS Students Named Regeneron Scholars for 2022

“Congratulations to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair 2022 winners,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO of Society for Science and Publisher of Science News. “Every single Regeneron ISEF finalist has shown true dedication, passion, and grit. Their commitment to their research, and perseverance throughout the continued challenges of COVID-19 are an inspiration to us all. We are eager to watch the impact they are sure to make in their communities and chosen fields.”

Regeneron ISEF provides a global stage for the best and brightest young scientists and engineers around the world. Founded on the belief that advances in science are key to solving global challenges, Regeneron ISEF supports and invests in the next generation of leading STEM thinkers who are generating ideas and acting as catalysts for the change needed to improve the well-being of all people and the planet.

“These exceptionally talented Regeneron ISEF finalists are some of the brightest minds from around the world and our greatest hope for addressing global challenges in the future,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron. “Science is critical to the survival of our society, and these finalists have limitless potential to make a positive impact on the world. I congratulate them for their hard work and am eager to see what they achieve in their scientific journeys.”

For the first time since 2019, ISEF finalists competed in person. More than half of the finalists gathered in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center and the remaining finalists participated virtually.

About the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

The Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), a program of Society for Science for over 70 years, is the world’s largest global science competition for high school. Through a global network of local, regional and national science fairs, millions of students are encouraged to explore their passion for scientific inquiry. Each spring, a group of these students is selected as finalists and offered the opportunity to compete for approximately U.S. $8 million in awards and scholarships. Learn more at their website.